The Battle of Kreta

Samuel was proclaimed tsar after Tsar Roman's death. Before and after the Battle of the Gates of Trajan, he conducted numerous operations, liberating Bulgarian territories one by one. Following his humiliating defeat at the Gates of Trajan, Emperor Basil II aimed to destroy Bulgaria and recovered many territories, including Preslav, Thessaly and Vidin. Samuel did not respond passively: he attacked and captured Edirne and Thessaloniki. Basil II retaliated once again. Battles between the two rulers continued for years, until their main forces finally clashed near Kreta in 1009.

The Byzantines won the battle. Despite the defeat, Samuel continued attempting to liberate Bulgaria until the disastrous Battle of Belasitsa.